Method and foot support device for treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient while the patient is mobile

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a method and foot support device for dynamically treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient while enabling patient mobility. The method comprises applying tension to the ball of the foot via a strap held in tension by extending the strap to form a continuous loop, from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of the foot in treatment through an opening in a channel guide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot, with the strap connected at opposite ends thereof to the opposite sides of the knee in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee and controlling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile by slidably adjusting the position of the strap within the channel guide member in response to the mobility of the patient.

This invention is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 13/545,976 filed onJul. 10, 2012, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated in itsentirety by reference, and relates to a method and foot support devicefor treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient by controllablymaintaining dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while at the same timepermitting the patient to be mobile.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention

The human foot and ankle contain 26 bones and more than 100 muscles,tendons, and ligaments. This complex structure receives the impact ofeach step experienced by an individual.

One source of heel pain commonly observed is due to a condition known asrecalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs in the plantarfascia, a fibrous membrane disposed longitudinally across the bottom ofthe foot. The plantar fascia is attached at the heel bone. The plantarfascia becomes broader and thinner as it extends longitudinally acrossthe bottom of the foot, eventually dividing near the heads of themetatarsal bones into five processes, one for each of the five toes. Thestrongest ligament in the body, the plantar fascia's purpose is toprotect the softer muscles and tissues of the bottom of the foot frominjury, as well as to help maintain the integrity of the foot structureitself.

If the fascia becomes stretched or strained, the arch area becomestender and swollen as well as the area about the heel bone. Thisinflammation is called plantar fasciitis and is typically painful fromthe heel throughout the arch up into the Achilles tendon. Patientssuffering from this condition usually have relatively tight andinflexible heel cords, sometimes referred to as Achilles tendontightness. When the heel cord is tight, it causes compensation in thefoot with over pronation of the foot during weight bearing. The pain isconsistently worse when you first get up in the morning and at the endof the day. The pain usually lurks in the heel pad and may include thearch ligament.

Plantar fasciitis is often caused by contracture of the Achilles tendonand the plantar fascia, which can occur at night during sleep, or duringdaytime inactivity. The Achilles tendon, the strongest and thickesttendon in the human body, begins at or about the middle of the posteriorside of the leg extending downward towards the heel, narrowing as itprogresses towards its point of insertion at the posterior surface ofthe os calcis. When an individual is standing, walking, running, or evensitting in a position in which the feet are in contact with the floor orother surface, both the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon areextended to varying degrees depending of course on the nature andintensity of the activity. During sleep, an individual has a naturaltendency to plantar flex the ankle joint beyond the position, which isnormal during walking, standing, or sitting with one's feet on thefloor. Plantarflexion is when the bottom of the foot is extended so asto form an angle with the lower leg of greater than 90 degrees, i.e.,extend such that the forefoot moves away from the body. Dorsiflexion isthe opposite motion, when the foot is moved to a position in which thebottom of the foot forms an angle with the lower leg of less than 90degrees, i.e., such that the top of the foot moves toward the body.

Another condition, Achilles tendonitis can result from overuse of thetendon in sports activities, and can also result from a number ofinflammatory diseases, of which rheumatoid arthritis is one.

Plantar fasciitis has been heretofore treated with the foot undergoingtreatment held essentially immobile. One common treatment of plantarfasciitis with the foot held immobile is to use a night splint. Thenight splint is a static device which typically consists, essentially,of a boot-like structure, which is strapped to a patient's lower leg andfoot, holding the foot in a fixed position relative to the lower leg sothat the leg does not move and with the ankle joint in slightdorsiflexion so that both the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon areslightly extended and are not allowed to contract during the night.Although the night splint device is somewhat beneficial in the treatmentof plantar fasciitis it is uncomfortable and limits mobility to thewearer and accordingly, the duration of treatment is limited.

Other static foot support devices such as braces and splints are knownfor maintaining the plantar fascia of the foot in a neutral to slightdorsiflexion under application of static tension. One such device istaught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,864 (Beckwith et al.) which includes (a) acalf strap removably engagable to the calf of a leg; (b) a foot assemblyremovably engagable to the foot of the leg such that when the device isworn the assembly can be positioned proximate to the ball of the footintermediate to the midfoot and forefoot areas of the foot to secure itto the foot; and (c) a substantially inelastic tension memberconnectable between the calf strap and the foot assembly in a tensionedmanner such that when the device is worn plantarflexion of the ankle islimited which in turn is able to keep the plantar surface of the footheld in a neutral to slight dorsiflexion. Once again, this device is astatic device which does not permit the patient to be mobile whileundergoing treatment and the duration of treatment is relativelylimited.

An additional disadvantage of the calf strap configuration in Beckwithet al. is that the calf muscle receives the tension force which leads todiscomfort for the user which is one reason use of the foot supportdevice is limited to relatively short time durations. Anotherdisadvantage of a calf strap configuration is that it requires the calfto be connected to the foot assembly which generates a downward force onthe calf and prevents the user from making lateral adjustments intension.

Currently there is no foot support device commercially available whichcan controllably maintain dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while atthe same time permit the patient to be mobile, other than StrassburgSock U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,155 i.e., move the foot while undergoingtreatment and walk. However, the Strassburg configuration requires thepulling on the toes in addition to tight restriction on the leg whichmay impact circulation on the leg. Therefore Strassburg is contrary tothe concept and arrangement of structural elements in the subjectinvention.

What is therefore desired, is a device which functions dynamically, notstatically and is able to control dorsiflexion of the plantar fasciawhile at the same time allowing the patient to be mobile and to move theleg while undergoing treatment. This results in substantially increasedpatient comfort and allows the duration of medical treatment to besubstantially longer which, in turn, alleviates plantar fasciitis in amuch shorter duration of time as compared to the use of conventionalstatic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method has been discovered in accordance with the present inventionfor dynamically treating plantar fasciitis which permits patientmobility comprising the steps of applying tension to the ball of thefoot via a strap held in tension by extending the strap to form acontinuous loop, from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of said footin alignment with the rotatable axis of the knee, through an opening ina channel guide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot andcontrolling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient ismobile by slidably adjusting the position of the strap within thechannel guide member in response to the mobility of the patient whilethe foot is maintained in constant dorsiflexion.

The present invention is also directed to a foot support device, adaptedfor attachment to a leg of a patient, for dynamically treating plantarfasciitis in a foot in said leg of said patient by controlling andmaintaining dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia even if the patient ismobile during treatment, with the foot support device comprising:

a foot assembly comprising a sock, adapted for placement over the footin said leg to undergo treatment, and a guide member affixed to the sockproximate the ball of the foot with said guide member having an openingextending therethrough;

a knee assembly comprising a first and second adjustable strap in arelationship above and below the kneecap of the knee in said leg, and amaterial section interconnecting the first adjustable strap to thesecond adjustable strap such that upon attachment of the foot supportdevice to said leg the knee assembly forms a brace for the knee whichengages and surrounds the knee. A knee assembly comprised of flexiblematerial with a securing adjustment strap at top of the knee assemblywhich is attached by velcro and a securing adjustment strap at thebottom of the knee assembly which is attached by velcro.

a tension assembly comprising a tension strap having open ends with thetension strap able to slide and extend through the opening in said guidemember;

coupling members for interconnecting the open ends of said tension strapto the knee assembly, at points of connection to the knee assemblylocated on opposite sides of the knee in substantial alignment with therotatable joint of the knee, such that the tension strap is held intension with the tension strap forming a continuous loop extending fromone side of the knee assembly through the passageway in said guidemember under said ball of the foot to the opposite side of said kneeassembly; and

means for adjusting tension in said tension strap such that consistentand uniform pressure is applied to the ball of the foot undergoingtreatment while allowing the strap member, held in tension, to slide andadjust position within the guide member when the patient is mobile andmoves the leg during treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the foot support device of thepresent invention shown in perspective and attached to a leg of apatient;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the first embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 1 with the foot support device shown rotatedninety degrees from the position in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of the foot assemblyand tension assembly in the foot support device relative to the ball ofthe foot of the patient;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the foot support device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the foot support device of thepresent invention shown in perspective and attached to a leg of apatient.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the second embodiment of the footsupport device as shown in FIG. 5 with the foot support device shownrotated ninety degrees from the position shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention showing the arrangement of the foot assembly andtension assembly in the foot support device in FIG. 5 relative to theball of the foot of the patient;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the foot support device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view in perspective of the foot support deviceshown in FIG. 6 showing how the tension assembly is engaged anddisengaged from the knee assembly in the foot support device;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic rear view of the knee assembly in the footsupport device shown in FIG. 9 with the knee assembly shown disengagedfrom the foot support device and removed from the patient and with theadjustable straps in the knee assembly shown in their fully unwrappedposition;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic front view of the knee assembly of the footsupport device shown in FIG. 9 with the knee assembly shown disengagedfrom the foot support device and removed from the patient and with theadjustable straps in the knee assembly shown in their fully unwrappedposition;

FIG. 12 is a view in elevation of a portion of the tension assembly inthe foot support device shown in FIG. 9 showing the clamp assembly foradjusting tension in the tension strap in the tension assembly;

FIG. 13A is a top view of a pair of coupling members for coupling thetension assembly to the knee assembly in the foot support device shownin FIG. 9 with the coupling members in the pair shown engaged to eachother;

FIG. 13B is another top view of a pair of coupling members for couplingthe tension assembly to the knee assembly in the foot support deviceshown in FIG. 9 with the coupling members in the pair shown disengagedfrom one another;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the clamp assembly in the foot supportdevice shown in FIGS. 9 and 12 for adjusting tension in the tensionstrap in the tension assembly; and

FIG. 14B is an exploded perspective view of the clamp assembly shown inFIG. 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the foot support device 10 of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-4 inclusive, comprising at least thefollowing three main elements: (a) a foot assembly 1, (b) a TensionAssembly comprised of tension straps 3 and 4, and (c) a Knee Assembly 2with the three main elements forming a single integrated unit. The KneeAssembly 2, as is shown in FIG. 1, is comprised of elastic material 14composed preferably of a soft synthetic fabric, a securing adjustmentstrap 12 at the top of the Knee Assembly 2, a securing adjustment strap11 at the bottom of the Knee Assembly 2, and two rigid buckles 7 and 8affixed to the section 14 of elastic material on opposite sides of theknee assembly 2 in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee. Theelastic material 14 provides the foundation of Knee Assembly 2, forminga comfortable brace, which upon attachment to the leg, surrounds andengages the knee. The upper and lower securing adjustment straps 12 and11 are part of the Knee Assembly 2 with the securing upper adjustmentstrap 12 located directly above the kneecap and the lower securingadjustment strap 12 located directly below the kneecap. The upper andlower securing adjustment straps 12 and 11 removably engage anddisengage the Knee Assembly 2 to the leg. This is preferablyaccomplished using Velcro strips of material 24 and 25 (not shown 22 and23) with a first set of strips of Velcro material (22 and 23 not shown)fixedly attached to the tips of both the upper and lower securingadjustment straps on one side thereof and a second set of Velcro strips24 and 25 fixedly attached on a side of the Knee Assembly 2 opposing thecorresponding locations of the first set of velcro strips as will beexplained in greater detail in connection with the second embodiment ofthe invention and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The Velcro stripsfunction as velcro fasteners for manually engaging and disengaging theKnee Assembly 2 to the knee upon wrapping or unwrapping the securingadjustment straps 12 and 11 around the knee and engaging or disengagingthe first and second set of Velcro strips to one another.

The rigid buckles 7 and 8 may each be composed of a metal loop inpreferably a rectangular configuration having opposite open sides withone open side of each metal buckle 7 and 8 in an adjustable engagementwith a free end of each tension strap 3 and 4 and with the other openside of each metal buckle 7 and 8 affixed to the Knee Assembly 2 onopposite sides thereof. The free end of each tension strap 3 and 4 maybe looped in a conventional manner through one open side of each metalbuckle 7 and 8 so that the position of attachment of each tension strap3 and 4 to the rigid buckles 7 and 8 is manually adjustable. Theopposite open side of each metal buckle 7 and 8 may be connected to theKnee Assembly 2 using two interconnecting strips of securing fabric 5and 6 which may be directly stitched to the elastic material 14 of theKnee Assembly 2 so that the position of the rigid buckles 7 and 8 onopposite sides of the Knee Assembly 2 lie in alignment with therotatable joint of the knee.

Each tension strap 3 and 4 is anchored to the knee assembly 2 atopposite sides of the rotatable joint of the knee through the rigidbuckles 7 and 8 with the opposite end of each tension strap 3 and 4connected together to form a single continuous tension strap extendingfrom the Knee Assembly 2 on opposite sides of the knee and slides freelyextending through a strap channel guide member 9 in the Foot Assembly 1relative to the ball of the foot for providing continuous tension to theball of the foot even when the leg is moved by the patient duringtreatment of the foot for plantar fasciitis as will be hereafterexplained in greater detail. Tension in the continuous strap iscontrolled by adjustably tightening the tension strap [FIG. 1, member 3]in the rigid buckle 7 or by adjustably tightening the coupling of bothtension strap 3 and 4 in the rigid buckles 7 and 8 respectively. Tensionin member 3 is channeled through the rigid buckle member 7 for applyingappropriate tension to dorsiflex the ball of the foot.

By anchoring the tension straps 3 and 4 to the opposite sides of theknee at a fulcrum point contiguous with the rotatable joint of the kneeassures uniformity and consistency in tension in each of the tensionstraps 3 and 4 even if the patient is mobile. The tension applied by thetension straps 3 and 4 in the Foot Support Device 10 must remainsubstantially constant and consistent to therapeutically treat plantarfasciitis while simultaneously moving the leg or simultaneously walking.This is a result of the interconnected adjustable tension straps 3 and 4which slide freely within the strap channel guide opening 13 of thestrap channel guide member 9 in the Foot Assembly 1 relative to the ballof the foot so that as the patient moves the foot in treatment theinterconnected tension straps 3 and 4 slide within the strap channelguide member 9 to maintain uniform and consistent dorsiflexion of theplantar fascia. This dynamic arrangement between the integrated FootAssembly 1, Knee Assembly 2 and the tension straps 3 and 4 in theTension Assembly is therefore critical if the patient, wearing the FootSupport Device 10, desires mobility while undergoing treatment forplantar fasciitis.

The Foot Assembly 1, comprises a sock 30 adapted to be worn over thefoot with the strap channel guide member 9, attached to the sock 30under the ball of the foot, providing a free sliding medium for tensionstraps 3 and 4 the single continuous tension strap, formed by theinterconnected tension straps 3 and 4, through the strap channel guideopening 13 in the strap channel guide member 9 to dorsiflex the ball ofthe foot. The pressure applied by the tension straps 3 and 4 to the ballof the foot controls dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. As long aspressure on both sides of the foot is maintained equal and tension inthe straps 3 and 4 is maintained substantially constant, the ball of thefoot can be dorsiflexed while simultaneously moving the leg therebysimultaneously allowing the leg to be mobile while at the same timecontrolling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia in the foot. This isaccomplished only when each tension straps 3 and 4 is anchored to theKnee Assembly 2 at a position, in substantial alignment with therotatable joint of the knee, on opposite sides of the Knee Assembly 2,which assures that the tension applied by the tension straps 3 and 4will be substantially uniform and constant.

It should be understood that the Tension Assembly in the subjectinvention requires only one tension strap 3 to be adjustably loopedthrough a rigid buckle 7 and secured by securing material 5 to one sideof the Knee Assembly 2 to form a point of connection between the tensionstrap 3 and the rigid buckle 7 with the location in alignment with therotatable joint of the knee. The other tension strap 4 may be fixedlyattached to the Knee Assembly 2 on the opposite side of the knee withoutthe use of a rigid buckle 8 i.e., by means of a direct connection oranother type of buckle or a coupling as used in the second embodiment ofthe present invention. Nevertheless, the point of connection betweeneach tension strap 3 and 4 and the Knee Assembly 2 must still be inalignment with the rotatable joint of the knee. The use of two rigidbuckles 7 and 8 secured to the Knee Assembly 2 on opposite sides of theknee with each rigid buckle connecting one end of each tension strap 3and 4 to the Knee Assembly 2 at a location in alignment with therotatable joint of the knee is one preferred way to assure thatconsistent tension will be applied to the ball of the foot in accordancewith the present invention which will permit the patient to be mobileand move the leg under treatment. This arrangement also facilitates easyattachment and removal of the Tension Assembly tension straps 3 and 4 toand from the Knee Assembly 2.

The Foot Assembly 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises a sock 30 incombination with the strap channel guide member 9 and strap channelguide opening 13. The continuous strap, formed by the interconnectedtension straps 3 and 4, slides freely, passing through the strap channelguide opening 13 in the strap channel guide member 9 to go from one sideof the Knee Assembly 2 to a corresponding location on the opposite sideof the Knee Assembly 2 in alignment with the rotatable joint of theknee. The strap channel guide member 9 is preferably attached to thebottom of the sock 30 so that the continuous loop of tension straps 3and 4 will be guided through the strap channel guide opening 13 of thestrap channel guide member 9 preferably under the ball of the foot andin a direction transverse to the arch which guarantees appropriatedorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. The strap channel guide member 9 maybe fixed to the sock 30 with an adhesive or by stitching, or any otherknown method.

The sock 30 in addition to orienting the loop of tension straps 3 and 4through the strap channel guide member 9 also assures that the FootAssembly 1 is comfortable for the wearer and hygienic as it is easilywashable. The strap channel guide member 9 must orient the direction ofthe continuous strap of tension straps 3 and 4 through the Foot Assembly1 along a path directly under the ball of the foot to achieve consistentdorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. If a sock 30 were not used, thestrap channel guide member 9 may readily be pulled away from the ball ofthe foot the minute pressure is applied to the loop of tension straps 3and 4 and may cause damage to the toes or fail to maintain the loop oftension straps 3 and 4 in a fixed orientation relative to the arch ofthe foot to assure constant tension and thereby lose the ability toprovide appropriate dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia during movementof the leg.

The use of a sock 30 prevents shifting of position of the loop oftension straps 3 and 4 relative to the ball of the foot. As long as theloop of tension straps 3 and 4 extends from a position on opposite sidesof the Knee Assembly 2 in alignment with the rotatable joint of the kneeand lies in a fixed position relative to the ball of the foot, applyingconsistent pressure to the ball of the foot which, in turn, guaranteesconsistent dorsiflexion to the plantar fascia while allowing the patientto be mobile. Accordingly, a guide member, such as strap channel guidemember 9 is essential, to orient the strap of tension straps 3 and 4 toslide under the ball of the foot through the strap channel guide member9 or alternatively, across the ball of the foot by locating the strapchannel guide member 9 over the foot and preferably on the top of thesock 30. Either method will provide the comfort and mobility required inthis embodiment of the invention.

A Foot Assembly 1 which includes a sock 30 increases the comfort of theuser and by securing the strap channel guide member 9 in the FootAssembly 1 to the bottom of the sock 30 and under the ball of the footconcentrates the tension force at the ball of the foot. The FootAssembly 1 should preferably be made from materials that can be easilycleaned and will provide comfort to the user when the Foot SupportDevice 10 is attached to the leg while asleep or when sitting orwalking.

As explained previously, the Tension Assembly comprises two lineartension straps 3 and 4 which are attached to each other to form onecontinuous strap which extends about the ball of the foot from the FootAssembly 1 to the Knee Assembly 2. Each linear tension strap 3 and 4 ischanneled through a rigid buckle 7 and 8 secured to the Knee Assembly 2.The user can tighten the tension strap 3 by pulling the tension strap 3further through the rigid buckle 7 until a desired tension is achievedbefore securing the tension strap to the rigid buckle using, forexample, a hook and loop fastener (not shown) which is then attached totension strap 3. In reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, thetension straps 3 and 4 are channeled onto the Knee Assembly via thebuckles 7 and 8 at the side of the rotatable joint of the knee wherethey maintain controllable and consistent dorsiflexion of the plantarfascia in accordance with tension adjustment to the tension straps 3 and4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5through FIGS. 14A-14B inclusive, comprising at least the following threemain elements: (a) a Foot Assembly 1, (b) a Tension Assembly 34 and (c)a Knee Assembly 2 with the three main elements forming a singleintegrated unit. The same reference numbers are used in the secondembodiment to identify identical components used in the firstembodiment. The Knee Assembly 2, as is shown in FIG. 5, includes elasticmaterial 14 composed of soft stretchable polyurethane synthetic orsimilar type fabric, which upon attachment to the leg forms a bracesurrounding the knee. The Knee Assembly 2 also includes an uppersecuring adjustment strap 12 and a lower securing adjustment strap 11with the upper strap 12 located directly above the kneecap and the lowerstrap 11 located directly below the kneecap as in the first embodiment.As shown in FIG. 10, a Velcro fastener tip 22 is attached to the uppersecuring adjustment strap 12 on its underside at an outer end thereofand Velcro fastener tip 23 is attached to the lower securing adjustmentstrap 11 on its underside at an outer end diametrically opposite thelocation of the Velcro fastener tip 22. The Knee Assembly 2, in thesecond embodiment also includes a non-slip liner 27 which serves tostabilize the Knee Assembly 2, as shown in FIG. 10, is attached to theelastic material 14 on its underside surface and further includes Velcrofastener sections 24 and 25 on opposite ends of the non-slip liner 27.The Knee Assembly 2 is removably attached to the user's leg, by properlyfastening both upper and lower securing adjustment straps 12 and 11 tothe Knee Assembly 2, positioning the alignment opening 29 of the KneeAssembly 2 with the kneecap to establish proper alignment of the KneeAssembly 2 on the knee of the leg and attaching the velcro fastener tips22 and 23 to the velcro fastener sections 24 and 25. The placement ofthe fastener velcro tips 22 and 23 relative to the position of thevelcro fastener sections 24 and 25 on the circumference of the kneeallows the wearer to adjust the degree of tightness of the upper andlower securing adjustment straps 12 and 11 and the Knee Assembly 2 tothe knee of the user's leg. The Knee Assembly 2 is readily removed fromthe leg upon disengaging the Velcro fastener tips 22 and 23 on the upperand lower securing adjustment straps 12 and 11 from the velcro fastenersections 24 and 25.

The present invention employs coupling members for readily engaging anddisengaging the Tension Assembly 34 to and from the Knee Assembly 2which in the first embodiment corresponds to the rigid buckles 7 and 8and in the second embodiment preferably comprises two pairs ofconventional male and female quick connects, 17, 18 and 19, 20,preferably of the bayonet type, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. A malequick connect member 20 and a female quick connect member 17 areattached to the Knee Assembly 2 in an arrangement with each located onopposite sides of the central opening 29 of the Knee Assembly 2, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 11, in a position such that when the Foot SupportDevice 10 is attached to the leg to be treated the central opening 29 inthe knee assembly 2 is aligned to expose the kneecap. The connectionpoint between the pair of quick connect members 20 and 19 on one side ofthe knee and the connection point between the pair of quick connectmembers 17 and 18 on the opposite side of the knee are in substantialalignment with the axis Z-Z extending through the rotatable joint of theknee. The quick connect members 20 and 19 are preferably located onopposite sides of the central opening 29 adjacent the Velcro sections 24and 25 as shown in FIG. 11 and may be affixed to the Knee Assembly 2 bystitching or with an adhesive.

The Tension Assembly 34 as shown in FIG. 12 comprises a single tensionstrap 3 with one end thereof attached to the male quick connect member18 and with the other end of the tension strap 3 attached to the femalequick connect member 19 as is shown in FIG. 9. The male quick connectmember 18 engages the female quick connect member 17 on one side of theKnee Assembly 2 and the female quick connect member 19 engages the malequick connect member 20 on the opposite side of the knee assembly 2. TheTension Assembly 34 further includes a clamp assembly 16 which isfixedly mounted upon the female quick connect member 19 as shown in FIG.9 and FIG. 14A respectively. The strap 3 in the Tension Assembly 34 isfed through the clamp assembly 16 which comprises an adjustable strapclamp 21 and a manually operated locking lever 26, as shown in FIGS. 14Aand 14B. The tension strap 3 is locked into a set position by depressingthe locking lever 26 into the strap clamp 21 of the clamp assembly 16.The clamp assembly 16 is mounted upon and affixed to the female quickconnect member 19 by adhesion or by other suitable method. The TensionAssembly 34 is comprised of only the single tension strap 3 which formsa continuous loop between the Knee Assembly 2 and the Foot Assembly 1. Agradient reference system 15 is affixed to the tension strap 3,preferably on the right side of the knee, for establishing referencesettings points on the tension strap corresponding to tension settingsof the tension strap 3 which readily enables the user to set and recallsettings of the tension strap 3 for maintaining consistent dorsiflexionto the foot in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.

The Foot Assembly 1, is comprised of a sock 30, and a strap channelguide member 9 preferably attached to the bottom of the sock 30 using anadhesive or by stitching the sock 30 to the strap channel guide member9, with the strap channel guide member 9 preferably oriented in adirection across the ball of the foot. The strap channel guide member 9,maintains orientation of the tension strap 3 relative to the ball of thefoot and has an opening 13 extending therethrough which allows thetension strap 3 to slide freely to adjust position within the opening 13of the strap channel guide member 9 such that consistent tension isapplied from the tension strap 3 to the ball of the foot for the purposeof simultaneously dorsiflexing the plantar fascia while the patient ismobile, i.e., is moving the leg under treatment. The sliding motion ofthe tension strap 3 through the strap channel guide member 9automatically equalizes the pressure on both sides of the foot whichallows for mobility of the leg while consistent balanced tension isbeing applied to the foot for the proper treatment of plantar fasciitis.By attaching the strap channel guide member 9 to the bottom of the sock30 under the ball of the foot guarantees that the tension strap 3 willalways be connected to the ball of the foot and in a proper orientationto apply appropriate dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. The strapchannel guide member 9 also protects the ankle and the foot fromunnecessary torqueing and twisting as tension is adjusted in the tensionmember 3, as a result of the tension member 3 adjustably sliding in thestrap channel guide member 9. This automatically keeps the tension forceequalized on both sides of the foot.

The non-slip liner 27 in the Knee Assembly 2 prevents slippage andmovement of the Knee Assembly 2 upon attachment of the Foot SupportDevice 10 to the leg and sets the Knee Assembly 2 in place whichstabilizes the Tension Assembly 34. When the foot support device 10 isin use the quick connector members 17, 18, 19 and 20 anchor the TensionAssembly 34 to the Knee Assembly for providing consistent tension to theball of the foot even during movement of the leg. The quick connectormembers 17, 18, 19 and 20 also allow the user to quickly release theTension Assembly 34 from the Knee Assembly 2 when the treatment sessionis completed. The clamp assembly 16 enables the wearer to set thetension of the tension strap 3 and the pressure applied to the plantarfascia by adjusting the position in which the tension strap 3 is lockedin the clamp assembly 16. The setting of the locked position of thetension strap 3 in the clamp assembly 16 provides adjustable control ofthe proper tension setting for dorsiflexing the foot. The gradientreference system 15 is a visual aid enabling the wearer to select analphabetical setting of tension and to inform the wearer as to theprogress gained through usage, so that the wearer can consistently setand maintain the tension required to optimize dorsiflexion of theplantar fascia.

The connection points formed upon engagement of the quick connectmembers 20 and 17 in the Knee Assembly 2 to the quick connect members 19and 18 affixed to the tension strap 3 are located on opposite sides ofthe knee in alignment with the axis Z-Z extending through the rotatablejoint in the knee as shown in FIG. 6. Because the quick connect members17 and 20, attached to the Knee Assembly 2, are located in alignmentwith the rotatable joint of the knee the tension force from the tensionstrap 3 is transferred from the rotatable joint of the knee to the ballof the foot. Thus, when the Foot Support Device 10 is in use, thetension force transferred from the rotatable joint of the knee providesconsistent dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia even while the patient ismobile and the leg is being moved. The quick connectors 18 and 19 oneach end of the tension strap 3 enable the wearer to easily detach theTension Assembly 34 and the Knee Assembly 2 upon completion of thetreatment for plantar fasciitis. The wearer then removes the sock 30 andthe Foot Assembly 1 followed by the removal of Knee Assembly 2 from theleg.

By using a sock 30 for orienting the tension strap 3 through the strapchannel guide member 9, assures that the Foot Assembly 1 will becomfortable to the wearer. Moreover, the sock 30 is easily washable oncethe Tension Assembly strap 3 is disengaged from the strap channel guidemember 9 and removed from the leg. The comfort of a sock 30 allows thepatient the mobility to easily move the foot with no discomfort, and tomore comfortably walk or sleep with the Foot Support Device 10 attachedto the leg.

It should be understood by that many different foot assemblies arepossible. Although the tension strap 3 should be fed through the opening13 in the strap channel guide member 9 so that the tension strap 3 mayslide freely in the strap channel guide member 9 can be orientedrelative to the ball of the foot by placement across the ball of thefoot or under the ball of the foot and the strap channel guide member 9may be affixed to the top of the sock 30 provided the tension strap 3 isable to slide through the guide member relative to the ball of the foot.Either method would provide comfort and mobility to the patient.Nevertheless, it is preferred for the strap channel guide member 9 to besecured to the bottom of the sock 30 under the ball of the foot becausethis arrangement concentrates the tension force at the ball of the foot.It should be understood that the sock 30 can be represented by any softmaterial in any configuration which can be affixed to the foot to whichthe guide member 9 can be secured at a location preferably under theball of the foot. The Foot Assembly 1 is composed of soft materials thatcan be easily cleaned, allow mobility and provide comfort whilesleeping, sitting or walking. In fact it is preferred that all of theelements of the Foot Support Device 10 including the Knee Assembly 2,Foot Assembly 1, and Tension Assembly 34, be composed of soft materialswhich are comfortable, washable, and portable as the device is easilypacked for travel or transport for convenience which encourages use andconsequently enhances the chance for improvement of the plantarfasciitis condition.

It is preferable that the tension strap 3 be a linear continuous strapand should extend through the Foot Assembly 1 to the Knee Assembly 2with the tension strap 3 on each side of Tension Assembly 34 secured tothe Knee Assembly 2 to form connection points, represented by engagementof the quick connect members 17, 18, 19 and 20 between the TensionAssembly 34 and the Knee Assembly 2. In FIG. 6 the tension strap 3 onthe left side of the knee is shown threaded through the male quickconnect member 18 for engagement with the female quick connect 17attached to the Knee Assembly 2. Only the tension strap 3 on the rightside of the knee which extends through the clamp assembly 16 isadjustable by pulling the tension strap 3 upward through the strap clamp21 in the clamp assembly 16 for controlling tension and resultantdorsiflexion of the foot before securing the strap clamp 21 in place bysnapping the locking lever 26 to the closed position to secure tensionstrap 3 at a desired setting. Gradient reference system 15, in TensionAssembly 34, is the visual alphabetic device that allows the wearer toquickly recall or select the desired setting that determines theappropriate tension on the plantar fascia by closing the strap clamp 21in the clamp assembly 16 at the appropriate tension setting for thetension strap 3.

It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and notlimiting, and that obvious modifications may be made by those skilled inthe art without departing from the essence of the invention.

TABLE OF KEY COMPONENT REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR CIP DRAWINGS Num- berDescription 01 Foot Assembly 02 Knee Assembly 03 Tension Strap 04Tension Strap 05 Securing Material 06 Securing Material 07 Rigid LoopBuckle 08 Rigid Loop Buckle 09 Strap Channel Guide Member 10 Footsupport device 11 Lower Securing Adjustment Strap for Knee assembly 12Upper Securing Adjustment Strap for Knee assembly 13 Strap Channel GuideOpening 14 Knee Assembly Elastic Material 15 Gradient Reference System16 Clamp Assembly 17 Female Quick Connect 18 Male Quick Connect 19Female Quick Connect 20 Male Quick Connect 21 Tension Strap AdjustmentClamp 22 Velcro Fastener Tip [Inner Side Knee Assembly Securing Strap]23 Velcro Fastener Tip [Inner Side Knee Assembly Securing Strap] 24Velcro Fastener Tip [Outer Side Knee Assembly Securing Strap] 25 VelcroFastener Tip [Outer Side Knee Assembly Securing Strap] 26 Clamp ControlLever 27 Non Slip Liner in Knee Assembly 28 <Not Used> 29 Knee AssemblyAlignment Opening 30 Sock 31 <Not Used> 32 <Not Used> 33 <Not Used> 34Tension Assembly 2^(nd) embodiment

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for dynamically treating plantarfasciitis in the foot of a patient while enabling patient mobilitycomprising the steps of applying tension to the ball of the foot via astrap held in tension by extending the strap to form a continuous loop,from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of said foot in alignmentwith the rotatable axis of the knee, through an opening in a channelguide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot and controllingdorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile byslidably adjusting the position of the strap within the channel guidemember in response to the mobility of the patient while the foot ismaintained in constant dorsiflexion.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising attaching a foot support device to the leg of the patient tobe treated for plantar fasciitis, with said foot support deviceincluding a knee assembly which removably engages the knee in said leg,a tension assembly comprising said strap with opposite free ends and afoot assembly comprising said guide member, integrating the footassembly, knee assembly and tension assembly into a single integratedunit by feeding the strap member through the opening in said channelguide member, along a path relative to the ball of the patient's foot,to the knee assembly on opposite sides of the knee; coupling eachopposite free end of said strap member to the knee assembly to formconnection points between the knee assembly and the strap member onopposite sides of the knee in substantial alignment with the rotatablejoint of the knee such that the coupling holds the strap member intension and controllably maintaining dorsiflexion of the plantar fasciawhile the patient is mobile by allowing the strap member to adjustposition within the channel guide member. 3 The method of claim 2wherein said connections points function as a fulcrum relative to therotational joint of the knee while the strap member is held in tensionand applying continuous and substantially consistent pressure to thefoot undergoing treatment while the patient is mobile.
 4. The method ofclaim 3 wherein each opposite end of said strap member is removablycoupled to the knee assembly using male and female quick connect membersincluding a first pair of quick connect members consisting of a male andfemale quick connect member attached to the knee assembly on eachopposite side of the knee and at a position in substantial alignmentwith the rotatable joint of the knee and a second pair of quick connectmembers consisting of a female and male quick connect member attached tothe opposite ends of the tension strap in opposing relationship to thefirst pair for removably engaging the knee assembly to the tensionassembly.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein one of the quick connectmembers attached at one end of said strap member is affixed to a clampassembly through which the strap member is fed with the clamp assemblyhaving a manual locking lever for locking the strap member into a fixedposition to establish a fixed tension in said strap member or foradjustably resetting the tension in said strap member by opening saidlocking lever and tightening or loosening the position of the strapmember before relocking the strap member at another tension setting. 6.A Foot Support Device, adapted for attachment to a leg of a patient, fortherapeutically treating plantar fasciitis in a foot in said leg of saidpatient by dynamically controlling and maintaining dorsiflexion of theplantar fascia even if the patient is mobile during treatmentcomprising: a foot assembly comprising a sock, adapted for placementover the foot in said leg to undergo treatment, and a guide memberaffixed to the sock proximate the ball of the foot with said strapchannel guide member having an opening extending therethrough; a kneeassembly comprising a first and second adjustable strap in arelationship above and below the kneecap of the knee in said leg, and amaterial section interconnecting the first adjustable strap to thesecond adjustable strap such that upon attachment of the foot supportdevice to said leg the knee assembly forms a brace for the knee whichengages and surrounds the knee, a tension assembly comprising a straphaving open ends with the strap extending through the strap channelguide member such that the strap can freely slide through the opening insaid guide member; coupling members for interconnecting the open ends ofsaid strap to the knee assembly, at points of connection to the kneeassembly located on opposite sides of the knee in substantial alignmentwith the rotatable joint of the knee, such that the strap is held intension and forms a continuous loop extending from one side of the kneeassembly through the passageway in said guide member under said ball ofthe foot to the opposite side of said knee assembly; and means foradjusting tension in said strap to apply pressure to the ball of thefoot undergoing treatment wherein the strap adjustably slides within thestrap channel guide member to maintain consistency in tension in saidstrap in response to movement of the leg or foot of the patient.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein said coupling members comprise rigid bucklesfor interconnecting each end of said strap to said knee assembly at saidpoints of connection to said knee assembly.
 8. The device of claim 6wherein said coupling members comprise male and female quick connectmembers including a first pair of quick connect members consisting of amale and female quick connect member attached to the knee assembly oneach opposite side of the knee at a position in substantial alignmentwith the rotatable joint of the knee and a second pair of quick connectmembers consisting of a female and male quick connect member attached tothe opposite ends of the strap in opposing relationship to the firstpair.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said means for adjusting tensionin said strap comprises a clamp assembly mounted on one of said couplingmembers having a manually adjustable locking lever and a strap clampthrough which the strap extends with the manually adjustable lockinglever having one position allowing the strap to be adjusted in positionfor changing the tension and another position for locking the strap inplace to fix the set tension in the strap.
 10. The device of claim 9further comprising a gradient reference system mounted to said strap toprovide a visual guide to the wearer of the foot support device of thetension setting in said strap or for readjusting the tension setting.11. The device of claim 8 wherein said knee assembly comprises anon-slip liner on one side thereof to stabilize the knee assembly whenattached to the leg to be treated.